Viibryd helpful for anxiety as well as depression?

I have bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. After a year plus of bouts of severe depression alternated with up states, and then recently 2 severe manic episodes after addition of Wellbutrin to Lexapro 30 mg, I was taken off Lexapro and changed to new mood stabilizer. A month later, I fell into a severe depressive state with intense anxiety. My doctor started me on Zoloft. I'm now on 150 mg Zoloft, but feel like my anxiety is worse than it ever was on Lexapro and am having to take Clonapin more than I ever have, and depression hasn't improved either. My current doctor in a partial hospitalization program suggested Viibryd, but barely spends any time with patients. I am thinking given that I have to go back to work in a month, of requesting to go back on Lexapro, but wondering if I should give Viibryd a try for possible greater help for depression. However, like the Zoloft, perhaps it will not be as helpful for anxiety. Just thought I would throw out the question in regard to Viibryd and help for anxiety, and perhaps also for people who also have tried Zoloft. Or maybe it just completely depends on each person's individual experience (which doesn't make getting back to good functioning easier). Thanks in advance.

Responses (2)

Sorry to hear of your trouble live proud. I had been diagnosed with concurrent anxiety and depression (one of those chicken or the egg things) More recently I was placed on 100 mg of Sertraline and I didn't feel as though it was doing much if anything for my depression. My Psychiatrist tried switching me to brand Zoloft and I did notice an improvement. Unfortunately, several months later I went into a pretty deep funk and my Psychiatrist took me up to 150 mg of Zoloft. After a couple of months with no improvement we decided to substitute Viibryd for the Zoloft. I had to titrate down to 100 mg Zoloft the 1st week, then 50 mg the second week and finally no medication the third week before starting at 10 mg Viibryd the 4th week. Towards the end of the 5th week on 20 mg of Viibryd I could start to feel the difference. That was the first time I've ever really notice a lift from an anti-depressant. The 6th week I moved up to 30 mg of Viibryd and it was working so well that I decided to stay there. Next time I saw my Psychiatrist he urged me to move up to 40 mg. I think he did that in part because, at the time, the only dosing approved for Viibryd was 40 mg (it has since been approved to treat depression at the lower dose of 20 mg). I didn't notice a pick-up in my mood with 40 mg of Viibryd vs. 30 mg but the anti-anxietant effect did seem to become more pronounced, Almost too much so where I feel a little over sedated to the point that I'm drinking more caffeine than usual. In any event, These drugs effect all of us a little differently. But I've found Viibryd to be the most effective anti-depressant I've yet tried while also having a significant anti-anxietant effect. I spoke to my Dr. about that and he confirmed that the drug's action is intended to serve as both an anti-anxietant and anti-depressant. I think you should try it. Titrating off the Zoloft wasn't a big deal other than delaying the impact of the Viibryd by 3 weeks - but that really allowed me to see and appreciate the Viibryd all the more. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.All the best.

Thank you so much for your reply, Rathmullan. Did Zoloft help your anxiety at all? It certainly hasn't for me. Also, did you have side effects from Viibryd on dosages other than 40 mg? I see you are supposed to take it with food, so taking before bed doesn't sound like an option. -Live proud

The side effects for me at 40 mg unfortunately were a hit to my libido (sexual desire and performance) and I feel a little over sedated at times. I've been addressing that issue holistically now. I never was on the lower dosages long enough to judge the side effect at those levels. I did feel that Zoloft helped with my anxiety as I recall. It did not help with depression. Viibryd has helped with both. You must take Viibryd with food. Taking Viibryd on an empty stomach is tantamount to cutting the dosage in half and taking the lower dosage with food. You'll want to take the Viibryd in he morning rather than before bed.Good Luck!